Motor Trend Names Tesla Model S as 2013 Car of the Year

American-made, All-Electric Car Rises to Top of Most Competitive
Field Ever

November 12, 2012 06:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Source
Interlink Media, LLC (SIM) announced today that Motor
Trend has selected the 2013 Tesla Model S as its 2013 Car of the
Year®, marking the first time a vehicle not powered by an internal
combustion engine has been selected in the 64-year history of the award.

“We had an extremely competitive field for Motor Trend's Car of
the Year”

The announcement, made via an extensive feature on MotorTrend.com and a
special presentation on the Motor
Trend YouTube Channel, comes after a diverse group of 25
contenders (45 with variants) were put through Motor Trend’s
extensive battery of testing designed to examine virtually every aspect
of each vehicle. When all was said and done, the panel of 11 judges
voted unanimously for the Tesla
Model S.

To determine which car deserved top honors, the Motor Trend staff
conducted Phase I of its testing at Hyundai/Kia’s state-of-the-art
facility near Mojave, Calif. During the intense workout, the judges were
able to test each vehicle in a closed course environment, which allowed
for consistency and repeatability. Judges narrowed the field to a short
list of finalists for Car
of the Year with the following tests:

High-Speed Loop: three lanes, 6.4 miles with a smooth surface and
constant-radius turns to evaluate engine noise and transmission shift
quality during significant acceleration.

Freeway Surfaces: one lane, 1.25 miles sectioned into replicas of
L.A.’s most notorious freeways, allowing observation of ride quality,
noise, and suspension tuning.

Winding Track: two lanes, 3.1 miles consisting of a combination of
fast-sweeping corners, decreasing high-radius hairpins, a tight
right-left-right switchback and three manmade hills to test power,
braking, and chassis balance.

Phase I was intended to eliminate vehicles that did not measure up to
the award’s six criteria: Advancement in Design, Engineering Excellence,
Efficiency, Safety, Value, and Performance of Intended Function. The Car
of the Year is not chosen from a direct comparison against the other
contenders, but rather as a result of how it measures up to these key
criteria.

Judges narrowed the field to 11 cars that would live to fight on in
Phase II, a 28.5-mile mix of highways, city streets and tight canyon
roads through scenic Tehachapi, Calif. Judges focused on how the 11
finalists performed in real-world conditions to evaluate factors
including road and wind noise, steering response, and ride quality, as
well as features in the car such as audio, climate, and infotainment
systems (navigation, hands-free voice controls and smart phone pairing).

After this stage, the judges revisit the six criteria and deliberate in
order to select the Car of the Year.

Judges were impressed by the luxurious and sporty Model S on all levels,
particularly its unparalleled engineering excellence. With its
exceptionally aerodynamic, aluminum-intensive body structure and
stunning performance of its innovative electric powertrain, the Model S
won the hearts and minds of even the most cynical judges on our panel.
The car is just as exceptional from a comfort and style standpoint, with
its roomy cabin, impressive storage space and giant touch-screen “nerve
center.” The Model S is supremely efficient; in separate tests Motor
Trend confirmed its EPA-certified 265-mile range, and achieved as
high as 118 mpg-e. Just as compelling are its numbers as a performance
sedan (0-60 in 4.0 seconds, a quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 112.5 mph,
and top speed of 133 mph). It’s also at the top of its class in safety
and is a solid value compared to the competition in both the luxury
sedan and electric-vehicle segment. In performance of intended function,
the car passes with flying colors: it’s well-equipped, high-tech, fast
and fun to drive.

“We had an extremely competitive field for Motor Trend's Car of
the Year," said Edward Loh, Editor-in-Chief of Motor Trend.
"However, the Tesla Model S floored our panel of judges. The goal of the
award is to name the car that best meets our six criteria, and the Tesla
Model S accomplished that best. It is a testament not only to the luxury
sedan and electric car segment, but to American engineering overall. To
be the first car in the 64-year history of the award to be powered by
something other than gasoline must mean it is very special. It is, and
thus we're excited to name the Tesla
Model S our 2013 Car of the Year.”

In addition to the Tesla Model S, the 2013 Car of the Year competition
included:

Source
Interlink Media, LLC is the premier source of special interest media
in the United States. With more than 75 publications,
100 Web
sites, 800 branded products, 50+ events, and TV and radio programs,
SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities
interested in automotive, action sports, home theater and other niche
activities. The division's strategy is to wholly focus on targeted
audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading
brands through a multiplatform media approach.